Finland way ahead of U.S. in many ways

Honolulu Star Bulletin ^ | 12/12/03 | Nancy Bey Little

[GrandmaPatriot]

The article about Finland in your Dec. 7 Travel section was interesting. We like to think that we are the most advanced country in the world, but that seems to apply only to weapons, and many others (even in "Old Europe") are far ahead of us. Helsinki, a small capital city of 500,000, has an underground metro and light-rail trams. Finland has the most successful economy in the world and provides its citizens with many social benefits: education through graduate school, generous child-care leave, $100-per-month child payments until age 16 and health care. Our radical right-wing would sniff "socialism," but they are way ahead of us. And they are not squandering billions of dollars and human lives by invading other nations.

[Mr. Lucky]

Are you saying that, in the reindeer game, it's much better to be ahead than behind?

[international american]

I think it is hard to figure the actual amounts from charts
You did on heckova good job breaking them down though.

[lawdude]

I'm guessing they are dependent on the rest of the world for most of their food, hard goods and other economic goods. What is their major agricultural product and how much food do they import?

[Teacher317]

Just to balance out the slew of Finland-"bashing" that will grace this thread: They kicked the Russian Bear in the teeth rather nicely! Good on 'em for that!

Now go move there, madam author!

Odd that liberals use the fact that America isn't number one in EVERY minute statistical category (without pausing to note important facors like taxes, suicide rates, lack of diversity, etc) to somehow "prove" that America isn't that great. "Yeah, just because we're in the top 5 in 95% of the categories with any meaning, that doesn't mean we should feel good about ourselves!" Dolts.

[tom h]

They are also having a dearth of babies so they are on the way to demographic extinction.

They also do not let millions of 3rd-worlders into their nation each year, who become huge consumers of tax benefits.

Worst of all -- their favorite sport is soccer. Any country which values soccer more than baseball is a dry cultural wasteland to me. {Flame-retardant suit on}

[Polybius]

The Finns faced down the Soviet Bear. They're O.K. in my book.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Ditto on all points.

[Kenton]

Are you saying that, in the reindeer game, it's much better to be ahead than behind?

Damn, ya threw me a curve on that one... I suppose it depends whether or not you're talking about the first day of reindeer season, or walking behind a reindeer with runny bowels... [Uck. I can't believe I said that]

[headsonpikes]

RE: 'suicide rate'

One word...Scrabble!

[Conspiracy Guy]

And when you walk down the sidewalks, "You got Finns to the left, Finns to the right. And you're the only bait in town". At least that's what Jimmy Buffett said.

[cwb]

Exactly...and from what I understand, Finland has rather strict immigration controls...unlike our wide open borders that allow a flood if illegal immigration. Hell, we have more illegal aliens in this country, than Finland has citizens (1,190,785), with a land mass that is slightly smaller than Montana. And where we are one of the most...if not the most, diverse country in the world, Finland, like its Nordic brothers, is one of the most homogenious societies on the planet...93% Fins with 6% being Swedes. It's a little easier to run a government of less than 2 million similar citizens than it is to run one with over 280 million diverse people. Talk to me in a decade and let me know how Finland's doing after their participation in the EU. That prosperity that Finland supposedly enjoys is going to be spread pretty thin between them and their "United States."

[chudogg]

The U.S. has the highest standard of living, period.
Standard of living defined as:

• Medium Income- The U.S. is second behind Luxomborg
• Purchasing Power Parity- The U.S. is First
• GDP per capita-The U.S. is first

Case Closed. End of Discussion.

[international american]

I'll bet Jimmy Buffett didn't drink any Margaritas over there.....probably 12 bucks a throw!

[exmarine]

Let's be clear...Finland is way ahead of America in SOCIALISTIC culture and economy, a dubious category to lead in. We Americans value INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM, a concept the socialistic Euro-weenies can't possibly understand.

[international american]

Luxemborg? Ya learn sumpthin every day.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Finland has the most successful economy in the world and provides its citizens with many social benefits: education through graduate school, generous child-care leave, $100-per-month child payments until age 16 and health care.

Because the taxes leave them too poor to pay???

[cwb]

Sorry...that should by 5,190,785.

[Conspiracy Guy]

At least.

[MattinNJ]

That was my first thought as well. IIRC, they have the number one sniper (# of confirmed kills).

[SaveTheChief]

All Hail, Socialism!